Community’s Leaders Unified in Response to 2009 HIN1 Virus

Sept. 17, 2009

BELLINGHAM – The community’s lead agencies are unified in preparation for an expected surge in 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) cases later this month. Since the World Health Organization announced in April that a novel influenza was spreading rapidly and was likely to become pandemic, representatives of the Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD), St. Joseph Hospital and the City of Bellingham have been leading a unified response and preparation effort.

On Wednesday, Sept. 15, Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen, Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike, Western Washington University (WWU) President Bruce Shepard and Nancy Steiger, CEO and Chief Mission Officer for St. Joseph Hospital and PeaceHealth Medical Group were briefed by the Pandemic Incident Commanders, who reviewed the local status of H1N1, the anticipated increase in cases once WWU’s school year begins on Wednesday, Sept. 23 and resource needs to address that surge.

Currently local cases of influenza are assumed to be caused by the 2009 H1N1 virus, the most contagious of all influenzas over the summer.  While H1N1 is no more virulent than seasonal strains of the flu, H1N1 is more concerning because of how easily it spreads and the fact that young people are at greatest risk. A vaccine is not yet available to prevent the H1N1 influenza. Other communities have seen the number of H1N1 cases soar once the school year began.
 
According to Regina Delahunt, WCHD director, since no one has immunity to H1N1, “once it hits a community it tends to spread very quickly, so our efforts are to try to prevent everyone from catching the virus at the same time.”

In order to limit the spread and impact of H1N1, local unified planning includes: the development information and instruction for community members, such as how to stay healthy and prevent the spread of H1N1; how to implement a mass vaccination effort once the H1N1 vaccine is ready later this fall; preparing healthcare facilities and caregivers for an increase of patients with influenza; putting into practice standards of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for medical triage and treatment; and preparing an alternative care facility.

Pete Kremen, Whatcom County Executive, said the community’s collaboration and early start in preparing for this pandemic will make the difference: “Unlike many communities, we have very strong partnerships established to deal with this very circumstance. We can be proud of the work done over the last two years to prepare for this.”  

For more information on the H1N1 virus, visit www.whatcomcounty.us and click on "Swine Flu Information."

Contact:  Lt. Rick Sucee, Public Information Officer, H1N1 Pandemic Unified Command (Whatcom County, City of Bellingham, St Joesephs Hospital), (360) 778-8444
     

printer friendly